Monthly Archive for February, 2011

: February, 2011

News and notes — Christchurch II A bit of good news — the director of the Air Force Museum of New Zealand, Mrs. Thérèse Angelo, replied to my inquiry as to the heath of the museum staff and the museum. Here is what she wrote: <><><><><> Good morning Joe, Thank you for your kind wishes and […]…

News and notes — Christchurch One particular morning I went for walk in downtown Christchurch. It was early and it was quiet – giving me time to look around and enjoy the details of the central business district (CBD) without the distractions or commuters and shoppers. I saw both old and new architecture. My geological […]…

Dornier Do-335 Pfiel (Arrow) The Pfiel (meaning “arrow” in German) is one of Dornier’s graceful and aeronautically successful designs. Two engines arranged in-line made for the less parasitic drag than the usual twin engine pairing of one each per wing — and it was fast. The Do 335 flew at a top speed of 474 mph […]…

Arado Ar 234 Blitz — the first jet bomber Another leap ahead in aviation employed by the Luftwaffe in WW II was a still modern looking twin turbojet engined bomber. Crewed by a single person the aircraft looks fast and it was completely aerobatic. The pilot was ensconced in a streamlined fuselage which had no stepped cockpit […]…

Travel for Aircraft update Hello and welcome to the update. As longer time readers know, this blog exists in the main to support those who preserve or care for aviation’s history. It’s why the posts emphasize museum visits, reference media and aircraft photo walkarounds. Thanks especially to Indy Transponder, and their daily posts which summarize […]…

Oakland Aviation Museum — two models Oakland Aviation Museum 37º 43′ 54″ N / 122º 12′ 45″ W There are several models in the Oakland Aviation Museum but two stand out the most to me, one since it is a remarkable display of a Wright Flyer and the other due to its professional quality display of am […]…

Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina walkaround — Fantasy of Flight Aircraft Collection Consolidated’s Catalina design of the mid 1930s has been one of my all time favorites ever since I can recall knowing about aircraft. Able to operate from land or water and stay aloft for half a day’s time, though not fast, the PBY is hardy. I’m […]…

A good look around — the spherical panorama Aircraft cockpits are not usually seen by the folks who make up the masses — which includes me. It is unusual to see an airplane’s cockpit and it is rare to impossible to see the cockpit of of a museum aircraft. A few museums have cockpit days and airshows allow […]…

Oakland Aviation Museum — the military aircraft 2 of 2 Oakland Aviation Museum 37º 43′ 54″ N / 122º 12′ 45″ W This is a continuation of the previous post to show the balance of the military aircraft in the outside exhibit area of the Oakland Aviation Museum. Additionally, there are two more posts and they immediately […]…

Oakland Aviation Museum — the military aircraft 1 of 2 Oakland Aviation Museum 37º 43′ 54″ N / 122º 12′ 45″ W This post, the third in series on this museum, is about the aircraft on exhibit outside next to the main hangar. These aircraft are almost all military with a few exceptions such as the Short […]…